SACRED HEART CHURCH PAGE 2 DECEMBER 21, 2014 PARISH MEMBERSHIP We hope that all new residents of the Merricks and surrounding communities will feel at home at Sacred Heart and will tell us of their presence by registering at the Parish Center. By completing the registration form, we will be better able to serve you when you need letters to be a sponsor for Baptism, Confirmation and Marriage, along with other situations requiring character references. Your use of the parish envelopes in making contributions will enable us to provide you with verification for your tax purposes. Please, come into the Parish Center for a Registration form and let us give you a warm welcome to our faith community. ADULT CHRISTIAN INITIATION If you are interested in exploring the Catholic faith or completing your initiation into the Church through the reception of the sacraments of Eucharist and/or Confirmation, please call the Parish Center. INFANT BAPTISM PREPARATION Sacred Heart celebrates the sacrament of Baptism on the first and third Sundays of the month at 2:00 PM. Please call the Parish Center (X 20) at least three months before the intended date of Baptism, to begin the Preparation Process. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Please contact the Parish Center at least a year in advance of the intended date of the wedding. A priest of the parish will interview you, set the wedding date and help you register for the required marriage preparation program (Pre-Cana). SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATON A priest is available to welcome you to Confession each Saturday at 4:00 P.M. in the church. Please never hesitate to call a priest at the Parish Center for an appointment for Confession at another time. SACRAMENTS FOR THE HOMEBOUND If you or a family member are not able to attend Mass due to temporary or chronic illness, and would like to receive the Sacraments of Communion, Reconciliation and/or Anointing of the Sick, please call to arrange for reception at home. Arrangements may also be made for a friendly phone call from our Social Ministry Volunteers. Please let us know of a parishioner in a local hospital or medical facility who would like a visit from our pastoral staff. Please call Sister Lynn, C.S.J. 516-379-1356 ext. 19 for more information. CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM All adults volunteering as liturgical ministers and in other ministries, events and programs connected with children are required to have a Background Check which is done at Sacred Heart, and attend a three hour Virtus Training Program either at Sacred Heart or another diocesan site. To attend a session you must register on line at www.drvc.org, go to the tab: PROTECTING CHILDREN and click on the link for VIRTUS TRAINING CALENDAR. Sr. Patricia Turley, CSJ Food Pantry Pantry Sunday Weekend of December 27/28 What should I bring? I’m sure over the past few weeks you’ve asked or been asked t his question many times. As we’ve all been enjoying Christmas visiting, we’re always happy to ring a little something for the host/hostess. Next weekend, please remember to bring a little something for the families of our community in financial need. Your generosity through Thanksgiving and Christmas provided wonderfully festive celebrations for many families. Please help keep our pantry stocked through the winter. Remember to check expiration dates. Want to know what to bring? Think of whatever your family goes through most quickly, or here are a few items we could use: ▪ ▪ ▪ Canned/ready to heat meals Paper Goods Tuna ▪ ▪ ▪ Hot/Cold Cereal Laundry detergent Lunch box items The pantry does have a refrigerator and freezer. If you are able to donate milk, eggs, butter, produce or meat, please bring them to the Outreach during our regular hours, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 10:00AM 2:00PM, or call 379-6123 to arrange another time. Thank you, Sister Lynn DECEMBER 21, 2014 PAGE 3 SACRED HEART CHURCH FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK… Dear Parishioners, This Fourth Weekend of Advent finds us lighting all of the candles on the Advent wreath. Hopefully we have used our time well and have awakened to God’s calling us to be prepared to receive the coming of Christ into our hearts. Are you ready? If so, great! If not, may I recommend that we look to the key figure of the 4th week of Advent - Mary our Blessed Mother. Christmas is close and Mary personifies all of the waiting, hoping and longing of God’s people. God prepared for the first Christmas by choosing Mary to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary was prepared by living a life of prayer and holiness that allowed her to hear God’s call and respond with a “yes” to God’s plan. She trusted God and put her life into God’s hands and continued to live a life of long service. Remember how her first response after saying yes was to go to take care of Elizabeth. I pray that we will all prepare by taking advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation so we can receive the Lord in Holy Communion. Then, as God fills us with His love...let us pray that He will give us generous spirits so that we will bring Him to all we visit over the next days and weeks. As we turn our attention to Christ’s first coming at Bethlehem, allow your priests to wish everyone a very… Merry Christmas! It is our hope that His Light will shatter the darkness of sin and hurt in your lives. May the Christ Child continue to bless you with a special peace and hope. For all the ways that you reveal God’s goodness and promise - by your own faithfulness, hope and joy - THANK YOU from your priests! For the generous ways that you give of your time and talents all year long, please know you have our heartfelt gratitude. For the bakes goods, fruit and assorted other goodies that always seem to “miraculously appear” at this time of year (often without a tag of credit)...our sincere gratitude...your delicious goodies are a sign of the ways you nourish us all throughout the year. Please know that during this season of wonder and awe you are in our prayers. We hope that the great gift of true Christmas spirit will be yours in abundance. Know also, that you are wished our very best for a 2015 filled with health, happiness and an increasingly greater amount of His light to guide you. Fr. Joe N... and...Fr. Joe D Come Lord Jesus! Weekly attendance: Envelopes Used: Collection: Fiscal Year To Date: Last Weekend 1570 582 $15,076 $230,123.78 FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT Monday Samuel 1:24-28; Luke 1:46-56 Tuesday Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66 Wednesday 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79 Christmas Vigil Isaiah 62:1-5, Acts of Apostles 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1:1-25 Thursday The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 Friday Acts of the Apostles 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 Saturday 1 John 1:1-4; John 20:1a, 2-8 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH Sunday Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3, Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40 DECEMBER 20 - 21, 2014 1 1/2% of the tithe will go to DISMAS HOUSE Dismas House was founded in 1988 in response to a growing need for transitional housing for exoffenders about to be released from prison or jail. Upon entering the program, the men must find a full time job that pays a living wage, is on the books and has health insurance and other benefits. The men contribute to their room and board. Studies show that men who complete this program have a fourfold chance of breaking the cycle of recidivism. PAGE 4 DECEMBER 21, 2014 SACRED HEART CHURCH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION News from Religious Education: We need one (1) grade 4 teacher who can teach on Wednesdays, and be at the school by 3:15 PM. Please call 379-1536 Ext.27 or 26. We have a Bereavement Gathering which meets monthly on the first Tuesday of every month for those who have lost a loved one from several months to several years ago. Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 6th at 7:30 PM, in the Church meeting room. (Please use either side entrance of the Church). For more information, please contact Sister Lynn @ 516-379-1356 ext. 19, or [email protected] ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Bambinelli Sunday Families are invited to bring your figure of the Christ Child - the “Bambinelli” to Mass this Sunday, December 21st, the 4th Sunday of Advent. We will bless the figurine you bring and then you can bring it home and place it in your manger scene. To all the parishioners of Sacred Heart who THANK YOU helped to make a festive Thanksgiving for countless individuals and families here at the Sister Edward Joseph, CSJ Parish Outreach and our sister Parish Outreach at St. Martha’s, I offer a sincere thank you! We were again able to supply food for a holiday meal to all who came to the Sister Patricia Turley, CSJ Food Pantry, deliver a hot Thanksgiving meal to over 40 of our homebound parishioners, and provide 200 + loaves of bread baked by our parishioners, blessed at our Thanksgiving Mass and offered from our table to yours. A special thank you to all who delivered the meals, baked the breads and to our Confirmation candidates who so beautifully displayed the breads. Many thanks, and may God bless you and all you love. ~ Sister Lynn ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Luke 2:12: “This will be a sign for you: You will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” ♥ ♥ ♥ THE GIFTS OF BREAD AND WINE for the week of December 28 are for: John and Theresa Baldassi in honor of their 50th Wedding Anniversary CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE The children from the Liturgy of the Word Program will have their annual Christmas performance on Sunday, January 4, 2015, in the school cafeteria, after the 10:00 o’clock Mass. All are welcome. Lite refreshments will be served. Offered by: Laura and Sean Sommers DECEMBER 21, 2014 SACRED HEART CHURCH PAGE 5 MASSES FOR THE WEEK Monday, December 22 9 AM Emma Korec Tuesday, December 23 9 AM Doris A. Ryan Charles Brienza Priscilla Landro Ben Cammarata Cecelia Lerro Wednesday, December 24 9 AM Joseph (living) & Natalie Nixon 4 PM Ralph Giglio 6 PM 10 PM Peter & Barbara Slowik John J. Campbell Diane Mac Laren Lillian Caraccio Patricia Massey Baby William M. Carrara Fred Matalevich Anthonino Chiofalo Chris Matejov Dustin D’Andrea John McInerney Robert DeMars Edward McKenna Kevin Duffy Kathleen McKenna Augustine Farfone Harriet Meyer Ann Fisher Frank Mills Friday, December 26 9 AM Mary Ann McGann John Fitzpatrick, Sr. William Mohr James Forte Daria Mongelli Saturday, December 27 5 PM Ronald Mowris Brother Augustine, C.M. Sr. Marie Vianney Gallagher Lillian Mortara Michael Gallo Jack Palamaro Sam Giordano Peter Palamaro, Jr. Sunday, December 28 - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph John Hursala Debbie Ryan Donald Johnson, Sr. John Rynn 8 AM 10 AM Noon 5 PM Doris Johnston Alex Salvaggio Gail Kimitis Joel Scaduto Pat Kok Santina Sztabnik Lorraine Kolstein Angelo Tilocca Maryellen Lamaitis Richard Webster Thursday, December 25 8 AM Margaret Marengo 9:30 AM Parishioners of Sacred Heart 11 AM Mary Alice Vaccacio 12:30 PM Raymond F. Johnston Catherine Melley Parishioners of Sacred Heart Richard J. Kennedy Margaret Quinn Joseph Michalski It is the policy of this Church and the intention of each priest that the Masses celebrated will be for the intentions listed in the Parish Mass Book. SACRED HEART MEMORIAL SOCIETY For an offering of $50, a deceased loved one can be enrolled in the society and will share in the spiritual benefits of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be offered each First Friday for one year. Appropriate Memorial Cards are available. 2014 Names are placed in this weekly bulletin for a four week period, unless we are notified by a family member to continue having your loved one remembered in prayer. Otherwise, due to lack of space, the name will be removed. Thank You \ WEEKLY ENVELOPES MAY THEY REST IN PEACE Let us remember all our parishioners who have been called home to our Loving God. May they rest in peace and may their families, relatives, and friends be consoled by our prayerful concern. Thank you for your use of the weekly envelopes. Please help the counters - by writing the amount of your donation on the front of the envelope; and by not using tape, stickers or staples. Your co-operation is greatly appreciated!!! SACRED HEART CHURCH PAGE 6 THIS WEEK AT SACRED HEART Sun., Dec. 21 ~ Family Social - Please join us for coffee, tea and sweets after the 10:00 AM Mass. Sat., Dec. 27/Sun., Dec. 28 ~ Pantry Sunday - All the Masses. Please bring food with you for the economically poor of our community. SAVE THE DATE Tue., Dec. 30 ~ Movie Night - The Nativity Story For more information, please contact Sister Lynn at [email protected] Tue., Jan. 6 ~ Bereavement Gathering - 7:30 PM Church meeting room (please use either side entrance of the Church) for info., please contact Sister Lynn @ 379-1356 ext 19 or [email protected] Sun., Jan. 21 / Feb. 15 ~ Family Social Please join us for coffee, tea and sweets after the 10:00 AM Mass. DECEMBER 21, 2014 PARISHIONERS IN ARMED FORCES Several years ago, we inscribed the names of loved ones - parishioners and nonparishioners in a book placed before Our Lady of Fatima. We continue to collect the names of PARISHIONERS who are actively serving the Armed Forces. Please send their name, rank and branch of service in writing to the Parish Center c/o Father Joe Nixon. Sacred Heart Parish salutes and commends to prayer: Sgt. Richard DeTommaso, U.S. Army, Korea PFC Kendrick McCann, U.S. Army, Korea Sgt. First Class Lee Ann Gouveia, U.S. Army L CPL Anthony Rusciano, U.S.M.C. L CPL Troy Grassi, U.S.M.C., Iraq SSgt. Edgar C. Francisco, U.S.M.C. Col. James K. Lavine, U.S.M.C. Lt. Col. Timothy W. Schnelle, U.S.M.C. Sgt. James Moore, U.S. Army Pvt. Andrew Reynolds, U.S. Army PO Third Class Wesley Paladino, U.S. Navy L CPL Elyse Franzitta, U.S.M.C. L CPL Robert A. M. Bernhardt, U.S.M.C. L CPL Kevin P. Vaughan, U.S.M.C. Capt. Christopher Darconte, U.S. Air Force L CPL Brandon Furia, U.S.M.C. PFC Matthew Macario, U.S. Army, Afghanistan Bishop Molloy retreat House 86-45 Edgerton Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11432 - 718-739-1229 www.bishopmolloy.org * RESERVATION CARD I would like to reserve a space for the retreat on: January 16 th - January 18 th , 2015 with person/group: Mildred Giglio, Sacred Heart Church, North Merrick * Please use the Reservation Card form located in the last page of the November 16 th Bulletin. Almighty and Eternal God, protect these men and women as they discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of your love enable them to return home in safety to all who love them. May they ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD (cont’d) CATHOLIC CHARITIES Volunteer (s) Needed: Catholic Charities in Freeport is seeking Volunteer (s) to assist in clerical and administrative responsibilities in our Teaching Family Home Program. Preferred days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hours are flexible. If you are interested and available for this opportunity, please contact: Mary Elle Kwiecinski, Volunteer Coordinator @ 516-733-7034. Your time and talent will be greatly appreciated! Prayer For Safety of Our Service Men & Women Tune into “Religion & Rock” with Msgr. Jim Vlaun, on Sundays from 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM on WBAB 102.3 FM. Listen on Saturdays at 11:00 PM on Sirius Radio, Channel 159, the Catholic Channel and at 11:00 PM on XM Satellite, Channel 117. Next Sunday’s theme is New Year. Don’t miss it! To listen online or receive more information regarding Religion and Rock go to www.ReligionandRock.com, or at “Religion & Rock” on ITUNES. Don’t forget to tune into TELECARE, Cablevision 29, or Verizon FIOS 296, or visit www.telecaretv.org for the Best Catholic Television! To receive this announcement electronically, please email [email protected] - (516) 538-8704.
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